Five charged in Ulster County in prescription drug probe

ESOPUS, N.Y. -- Five people have been arrested on charges they illegally obtained controlled substances using stolen prescription pads, Ulster County sheriff's deputies said Wednesday.

Arrested were: Christopher J. O'Halloran, 27, of 17 Downs St., Kingston, on two counts each of felony forgery, felony falsifying business records, felony possession of a forged instrument, misdemeanor possession of stolen property and misdemeanor conspiracy, as well as one count of misdemeanor insurance fraud; Kevin S. Blasso, 32, of 1858 U.S. Route 9W, Lake Katrine, on three counts each of felony forgery, felony falsifying business records, felony possession of a forged instrument, misdemeanor possession of stolen property and misdemeanor conspiracy, as well as one count of misdemeanor insurance fraud; Edward W. Dixon, 42, of 161 Kovacs Drive, Hurley, on charges of felony forgery, felony falsifying business records, felony identity theft, felony possession of a forged instrument, misdemeanor conspiracy, misdemeanor criminal facilitation, misdemeanor impersonation, five counts of misdemeanor possession of stolen property and four counts of misdemeanor petit larceny; Alicia Stone, 28, of 1858 U.S. Route 9W, Lake Katrine, on misdemeanor charges of criminal facilitation and conspiracy; and Robert J. Lunan, 46, of 380 Boulevard, Kingston, on misdemeanor charges of criminal facilitation and conspiracy.

The five were arrested following an investigation into diverted pharmaceuticals that began with an incident that occurred April 6 at the Port Ewen Pharmacy, deputies said. Deputies said the investigation revealed a large conspiracy involving several individuals obtaining controlled substances using stolen prescription pads. The group utilized pharmacies in and outside of Ulster County, deputies said.

Undersheriff Frank Faluotico said it is believed the prescription pads were stolen from a doctor's office in Kingston where Dixon worked, but detectives are still following up on that information.

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Dixon was held pending arraignment while the other four suspects were released on tickets or on their own recognizance. Investigation is continuing and additional arrests are pending.